As part of its Saudi strategy, UAE-based Lamprell is looking to qualify as a contractor to undertake offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation projects for the Saudi oil and gas giant, Saudi Aramco.

In a statement on Monday Lamprell said that its investment into Saudi Arabia is core to the group’s growth strategy where its primary focus to date has been the investment into the joint venture between Saudi Aramco, Bahri and Hyundai Heavy Industries to develop a major maritime yard in the Arabian Gulf, known as International Maritime Industries. The JV was officially launched in early 2018.

Lamprell added it is also pursuing other opportunities to gain a stronger foothold in Saudi Arabia. Among other things, one objective is to qualify as a contractor to Saudi Aramco on its Long Term Agreement (LTA) program.

The LTA program is where contractors undertake offshore engineering, procurement, construction and installation projects in the oil & gas sector. A key component of all LTA projects is Saudi Aramco’s In-Kingdom Total Value Add (IKTVA) program, which is designed to encourage and increase local investment by the LTA contractors.

Lamprell stated it is taking steps to achieve its IKTVA commitments by developing its in-Kingdom capabilities and by partnering with strong local businesses.

According to the company, a key component of its plans to reach the IKTVA goal is through the formation of Lamprell Saudi Arabia (LKSA), a Saudi limited liability company, which is a joint venture including Asyad Holdings as our local partner. Asyad Holdings brings regional knowledge and forms part of a group of companies managing a diversified portfolio of businesses, including working on major projects in Saudi Arabia.

As reported by the company last Thursday, June, 14 2018, Blofeld Investment Management (Blofeld) has increased its shareholding in the company to 10.08%. Blofeld is a private family fund based in Saudi Arabia that is ultimately owned by the same investor from Saudi Arabia which owns Asyad Holdings.

Lamprell welcomed the increase in shareholding by Blofeld, believing that the investment by Blofeld and partnering with Saudi businesses are supportive to the company’s strategic exposure in the region.

Christopher McDonald, CEO, Lamprell, said: “We are uniquely positioned to build our business in Saudi Arabia with the complementary opportunities of investment in the International Maritime Industries yard and our LTA bid to Saudi Aramco. We are committed to developing our local capabilities and we are looking to realize these opportunities by aligning with strong partners in-Kingdom. We are therefore pleased to gain the support from Saudi investors, both as a major shareholder through Blofeld Investment Management and as our local partner in our Saudi joint venture.”

He added: “The region has some of the strongest fundamentals in the oil sector and has demonstrated resilient production throughout the market downturn with an exceptional growth strategy going forward. Much of Lamprell’s effort over the past two years focused on building a presence in the region and we are pleased to see our strategy supported by local partners.”